Renewed Calls for Research into Toyota’s Electronic Throttle Systems
Executives at embattled auto giant Toyota say the company is working hard to fix problems in its North American market, but some United States legislators and consumer groups are asking whether Toyota is on the right path towards resolution of current safety recalls or just spinning its wheels.
In recent months, reported problems with “sudden or unintended acceleration” in Toyota vehicles have sparked massive recalls involving floor mats and gas pedals. Toyota has identified these two issues as the cause of safety problems in a wide range of vehicles from their current product line. Toyota has posted information about recalled vehicles on their web site. The company is telling drivers to sit tight and wait for instructions on how to get their cars fixed at participating dealerships.
But even as Toyota goes into high gear, handing out potential safety fixes like new reinforced gas pedals and brake overdrive systems, legislators involved in committees and panels monitoring the US Department of Transportation are putting the spotlight on Toyota, demanding a few more details about how the company researched safety issues reported by drivers.
Specifically, many are asking whether electronic throttle systems that computerize the signal from the accelerator pedal are to blame for some of the safety concerns reported by drivers. Toyota has maintained that these systems are safe, but some executives hint that additional causes of sudden acceleration have not been ruled out, which is frustrating those who really want to find the underlying cause of the issue.
New data from the community of Toyota drivers is putting even more pressure on the auto maker: A March 5 New York Times report shows that although Toyota has fixed over a million cars to date, more than 60 drivers have reported problems with their vehicles after having received repairs under the terms of the current recall.
Now U.S. officials are calling for the Toyota Company to clarify its response to questions about their research. Previously, Toyota has said that its technicians “could not replicate” problems with the electronic throttle systems, but as critics point out, this statement does not flatly deny that problems may occur. All eyes are on the giant car company as they continue to pursue internal research for a final answer on what is causing many Toyota vehicles to exhibit faulty acceleration.
Drivers in the Orlando area may be having problems with their Toyota cars, trucks or SUVs, increasing the risk of accidents. Owners of Toyota recall vehicles injured in an accident, as well as passengers, pedestrians or occupants of another vehicle involved in the accident, can look to Orange County Toyota recall accident lawyer, James O. Cunningham, to determine options for legal recourse after such an accident. The telephone numbers for The Law Offices of James O. Cunningham are toll free 888-425-2004 or local 407-425-2000. You can also submit a contact form for a quick response.
